February 13, 1900

Black Diamond.

This morning I went to the saloon and had coffee, then headed back to my office. Ger was sitting on the chair in the living room so I smiled, “Hey there!” 

“Hey! Trin... got some info on your new case... the one for Britt...” he said. 

“Oh did you?” I sat down on the couch adjacent from him. “You like the new office?” 

“Nice,” he looked around and smiled. 

“How did your citizenship class go?” 

“Passed with flying colors... got a check up with Miss Libby afterwards.” 

I smiled and went to the drawer, getting a spare badge and handing it to him. “Would you accept this badge and work as my partner with the Pinkertons?”

“Be proud to help ya...” he said and I helped pin the badge on his shirt, brushing his neck as I did so. 

“Will be a pleasure workin’ with you, Ger. Now then.. what’s all this about Britt?” I smiled, sitting back and pulling out my notebook. 

“Let’s see... You know her husbands name... Darral...” he started. 

There was a knock on the door and we asked who was there but no one answered. “So you were saying... her husband Darral...” I asked him. 

“Right, you knew that... School teacher’s name is Miss Anni Andrews...” 

“The name she knew right away,” I nodded. 

There was another knock on the door and Ger went to open the door. Aly came in and said, “Jes wanted to see if yall heard anythin’ today bout that Sandra woman. I haven’t seen her, hoping she left and ain’t coming back.” 

“Sasha?” Ger asked. 

“That woman that held me at gunpoint and stole my boots. She came round two days in a row.” 

“I haven’t seen her around since we talked about her yesterday.” 

“You said you gave the reports to the mayor, right?” I stood. 

“I did,” she nodded. 

“We need a deputy here, dang it,” Ger muttered. 

“Mmhmm,” I nodded. 

“Though my hand was a little shaky and not sure if what I said actually made sense.... I  think I got it all in that statement though,” Aly said. 

“I read it, it was good,” Ger insisted.

“Oh yeah, that’s right. I forgot you did, thanks,” she nodded. 

“So Aly guess what,” I smiled. 

“How ya getting settled in, Trin? Place looks real nice.” 

“I’m getting real set in...” I winked at Ger. “This here’s my official new partner!”

“Well lookin’ very professional here,” Aly smiled. 

“She did a good job,” Ger nodded. 

“So organized and clean... Okay, so I will let you two get to work,” she coughed a bit and giggled. 

“I’ll be lazing about today in my new rocker.” 

“Alright. Let us know if you hear from Sasha again,” I chuckled. 

“Sure will! Bye!” Aly waved. 

“I will be over in a bit to see if there is anything else you remember,” Ger said. 

“Such a good detective,” I smiled. 

“That would be good,” Aly said and walked out of the office. 

I sat back on the couch and looked at Ger, “You were saying the school teacher....”

“Yes. After asking a couple of times, she came up with it. Along with an interesting piece of information too.” 

“Oh really? I’m listening.”

“Asked her how she hurt her head... once she finally understood what I was asking, she told me the teacher, Anni, hit her upside the head with a chair, breaking it and knocking her out.” 

“Wow...” I raised an eyebrow. 

“So not only are we lookin’ at possible kidnappin’ but assault too.” 

“Mmhmm. Double charges on that one... What else did she tell you about the relationship with her ex? Or with her son?”

“Didn’t get that far... She went back into her spaciousness.” 

“Think you might be able to get more out of her if you see her again today?”

“Yes... turn on the old Firehawk charm...” he smiled and I blushed a little. “What about the Tye/Arson case?” 

“I saw them last night. They said something about raccoons messing up my place and wanted me to put out traps or something because apparently I don’t do anything anyway. I told him I had plenty enough to do. But it was the first time ever that Tye has ever said “Trin! Thank goodness!’ He never was thrilled to see me, ever.”

“I suppose not,” he chuckled. 

“I guess he and Peta were in some kind of awkward moment with Aly and Mark when I saw them so I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. They weren’t really in a talkative mood with me.”

“Something I can ask Ally bout then.” 

“Probably a good idea. I want to talk to David... See what else I can get out of him.”

“I bet,” he chuckled. 

“You have your fun, I have mine, pardner,” I winked and he laughed, closing his book. 

“Anything else you need me to do?” he closed his book. 

“I think that’s it for now, unless you can create a deputy out of thin air,” I smiled. 

“I wish,” he sighed. “Well, I’ll get to work then.” 

“Thanks Ger,” I nodded and watched him go. 

***

A couple of hours later I walked over to the new bakery and saw Krell sitting with Bree at a table. “Hello folks. Don’t mean to interrupt.”

“Need to think new name,” Bree was saying to Krell. 

“Yes, tell me what you want to call it,” he nodded. 

“Come sit, Trin,” Bree invited. 

“Are you sure?” I looked at her. 

“Enjoy the food on the table,” she smiled. 

“I don’t want to interrupt if ya’ll are talking business.”

“No please,” she insisted and I sat with Krell, looking over the menu. 

“Not at all, but I was just leaving Trin,” Krell said. “I have a meeting. I hope we can catch up soon.” 

“We do need to chat soon,” I nodded to him as he stood and waved goodbye to us. 

“I think I’ll have a pastry of some sort... And maybe some coffee?” I ordered. She got me the food and drink and I asked how she was doing. She said she was doing well and asked how I was. 

“Doing very well. Now that I have a partner, I will be able to get a lot more information about things.”

“Krell has much business to do, Trin. I don’t know how he does it all. I try help best I can,” she said. “There is a new lady, name is Britt.” 

“I’ve met Britt. Has she talked to you much?”

“Her husband ran of with another and took their child. Some, yes.” 

“We’re looking into it. What has she told you?”

“Krell told her he an get you to help. is all I know.” 

“Well we’re doing our best I just thought maybe she might have told you something, woman to woman.”

“That she got hit by a chair left side of brain. She dumped her wine over her shoulder today. She wants a job in the saloon. Yesterday, she saw a bug on dress and now we have to exterminate a building. I must remind Krell.” 

“Right, now I remember Ger told me about the chair. You have to exterminate the bakery? What kind of bug?”

“I not sure. Krell was there.” 

“Oh, when did this happen?” 

“Yesterday above the bank. She had a place on hill by the abodes.” 

“When did you see the bug on your dress?”

“Think she interested in Mayor. Not my dress, hers.” 

“You think Britt is interested in the mayor?” I asked and she nodded. “Ohhh... the bug was on her dress.” 

“She sees illusions at times, I think.” 

“Have you had any bugs in your bakery after the dance?” 

“No not seen myself. but Leigh told me. Tye was in bakery...” 

“Tye was in the bakery?” I blinked. 

“I scrubbed my shelves, threw out food, and baked more. I did not see, I was out of town.” 

“Leigh saw Tye in the bakery?”

“Need ask Leigh, please.” 

“I sure will.” 

“She may just have heard him talk Is why need speak to her.” 

“Definitely will talk to her, thank you Bree.”

I said goodbye to her then and headed out of the bakery. I saw Ger through the window of the door at the cafe and walked in. “Hey there.” 

He turned and smiled, “Hey Miss Trin.” 

“How are ya?” 

“Good thanks... Just checking up on a lead.” 

“A lead, eh? I’m intrigued.”

“Well... while talkin to Miss Ally... she told me she say Tye and Peta come runnin out here fast like.... said it was a mess from coon’s...” 

“Oh? You mean last night...” 

“Yep. Even though they say it was like this...I can’t see Tye being that scared of coons.” 

“Nope. He was a little too happy to see me yesterday too.”

“Really? How so?” 

“When he and Peta saw me the first thing Tye said was, ‘Trin, thank goodness.’ He’s never said that to me once since I met him back in May.”

“Then he mentioned the raccoons?” 

“They told me that I had to solve the raccoons problem and set out traps... Cause apparently I don’t do anything anyways. Something seemed really strange about that.” He bent down to look at the walls and I looked at him, curious. “What are you looking for?”

“Entry points where the raccoons could have gotten in or out.” 

I smiled, watching him. I couldn’t help but look at his behind as he leaned down and smiled a little. He turned around and stood and I blushed. 

“Are you feeling alright Miss Trin? You’re kinda flush.” 

“Just um...” I chuckled a bit. “Was enjoying the view.”

“Well... while you were enjoying I couldn’t find an entry point. Need to check the outside too.” 

“Hmm, okay,” I nodded and led the way out of the cafe. We looked around the building and he stood, turning back to me. 

“See anything?” I asked. 

“The building is intact... no holes out here.” 

“Alright.... So the raccoons are probably a made up story then?” I nodded. “As I suspected?”

“I wonder if they could have come from upstairs.” 

I nodded and followed him up to the apartment upstairs but we saw nothing out of the ordinary. “Seems like they made up the story, Ger. They’re lying to me.”

“I think the report of raccoons doing this is for the birds,” Ger said. “You know... If there any kind of critters in there, they would have left small footprints... but I didn’t see any.” 

“You’d think,” I nodded. “They’re lying and I don’t like it.”

We walked down to the street and saw Leigh in front of our office. Leigh came inside with me and I showed her around the office. “Shall we sit downstairs? I have some questions for you,” I said. 

“Sure.” 

“So who owns the cafe next to the hotel?” 

“I guess Bree does. She and the Mayor seem to be chummy.” 

“Oh?” 

“That is what the town gossip says,” Leigh rolled her eyes. 

“Speaking of Bree... I heard from her that you had seen Tye in the bakery last night.”

“No...” 

“No you didn’t?” I looked at her, confused. 

“I saw Tye take two bottles of whiskey from the saloon and say he was going to the bakery.” 

“That’s good to know...”

“I believe he took matches also.” 

“How about the cafe? Have you seen him in the cafe lately?”

“And said he wanted something from the bakery and I told him to bring me back some cookies. Hey Gerric,” he said as my partner walked in. 

“Ger, just in time. Leigh was telling me that she saw Tye take two bottles of whiskey from the saloon and say they were going to the bakery the other night. They took matches too.”

“From the saloon, right?” he asked and I nodded. 

“Not they, just Tye,” Leigh clarified. 

“And I just asked her if she’s seen Tye going into the cafe,” I said. 

“Yes, from the saloon. I saw Tye getting bit by a bunch of ants and jumping up and down like a jumping bean.” 

“A bunch of ants?” I looked at Ger. 

“Where was this? And when?” Ger asked. “Miss Leigh... was this after the dance with the majors .. ummm... coming out?” 

“Yep. I was shocked. Guess our wedding is off.” 

“You don’t think you’re going to get married to Krell anymore?”

“The Mayor is wearing my clothing Gerric,” Leigh said. “He seems to be stranger.” 

I wondered something about the interaction between Krell and Bree, and the timing of the incidents with Bree’s businesses. 

“I caught him with my makeup too,” Leigh continued, “And my garter belt.” 

“Oh my... They wouldn’t...” I shook my head, thinking it couldn’t be possible. 

“And here I am away from New York.” 

“You are from New York too?” Ger asked. 

“To tell ya the truth I been wondering why he likes to sleep on the floor instead of in bed with me,” Leigh said. “Yes, I am from New York.” 

“He told me that you wouldn’t let him in the same bed with him until you were married,” I looked over then. So when he told me about that whole story with the hole and you gettin’ sick in it I thought maybe you were pregnant. But then when I heard you ain’t even slept together yet then that wasn’t possible.’

“Well he won’t.. you know...” she blushed. 

“Still haven’t solved what happened with that kidnapping, have we, Leigh?” I asked. 

“He won’t. Says it ain’t proper and all. No, I sure wish someone could figure it all out.” 

“I’ve been wracking my brain and I still think it was Jewel and Mac... We filed reports. Nothing’s bein’ done because there’s no bloody law,” I sighed, frustrated. 

“I think he brought me here from New York to cover the fact he is transgender,” Leigh said. 

“You must be from the city,” Ger said. 

“I know there ain’t no law,” Leigh nodded and looked at Ger. “I was working in New York. Krell came in drugged me and dragged me here. No one of course believes me.” 

“Okay let’s get this timeline straight,” I said. 

So first few days when ya’ll came.... you go missing and get kidnapped. You come back with a noose around your neck. Show up at the dance.”

“Yep and all my jewelry was taken.” 

“Look back and forth with Jewel. Then you go to the bakery where you and Jewel point guns at Krell.”

“But I found it later in the mayor’s wardrobe.” 

“But you don’t remember ‘cause you were drugged. Right. So then... Bree’s bakery gets burned down...”

“I never pointed a gun. I don’t have a gun,” Leigh argued. 

“Well, Krell says you did so I’m just going with what I’ve heard for this timeline right now. For Ger’s benefit,” I said and he nodded his thanks. “So anyway... Bree’s bakery gets burned, witnesses see Tye leave with two whiskey bottles. We find whiskey bottles and matches from the saloon in the bakery.”

“Well Trin, ya have to consider the Mayor is one confused man/woman person,” Leigh said. 

“Bree’s business starts to boom because of the new building. Then there’s raccoons in the cafe. Though we can’t find any entry points. Am I missing any facts here? Meanwhile... The mayor is wearing your clothes and flirting with other women.. In spite of his undying love for you while you were missing. I don’t think I’m missing anything now, am I?”

“Something is burning,” she said. 

“Literally or metaphorically?” I asked. 

“Something is burning guys,” she said again. “I smell it.” 

“Let’s go outside,” I stood. “Come out here, Leigh.” 

We walked outside and looked around town but there was nothing wrong. The buildings all seemed fine and we walked into the courthouse to find the mayor sleeping. 

“What... What do you think?” Ger asked. 

“My life is a mess I cant find my cat, the Mayor is wearing my clothing,” Leigh sighed. “What do I think about what?” 

“What do you think happened with the bakery and cafe? Your cat is downstairs.” 

“The bakery and cafe? What about me??” she cried. 

“Leigh, it could all be connected.” 

“Oh? Well this is true.” 

“Think about it... Bree and Krell have been more friendly with each other you said.”

“Well I am pretty sure Tye burned down the bakery,” Leigh said. 

“Bree’s bakery and cafe get things wrong with it... We’re pretty sure Tye did that too.”

“He gave her a new bakery and didn’t even ask me,” Leigh said. 

“Mmhmm,” I nodded. “And now business is booming.” 

Ger reached over to take Leigh’s hand for comfort as she sobbed. 

“Leigh we need to talk to the mayor,” I said. It’s imperative at this point.”

“I gotta get back to New York. I am as nervous as a cat. You see, he is still drunk from last night. And I found a woman’s earring in his coat pocket. A diamond earring.” 

“Woman’s earring?” I looked at her. 

“He never came home again,” Leigh cried and I shook my head, not really sure who the victim was in all this. I walked over and put a hand on Ger’s shoulder and said, “I’m going to step outside for a moment.”

I stepped outside to get some fresh air, thinking that perhaps he would get more information out of her if I left the two of them alone. Twenty minutes later, he came out we walked to the office. 

When we sat in the living room I asked, “How did it go?” 

“Pretty good... She started to open up and tell me things.” 

“I’m listening.” 

“Well... to start with, the Mayor stole a gold oar from a Miss Nellie and blamed it on Leigh.” 

I blinked at that, “The MAYOR!??! Everyone at the dance said they thought Leigh took it, including Nellie.”

“That’s what she said...” 

“Keep going...” I shook my head at all the lies, not sure who to believe anymore. 

“She told me that the Mayor had her remove half her saving from the band, then said she stole.... afterwards she found the money in his clothing.” 

“He said it went missing. That he’d told Jewel about the investment before hand.”

“Then she repeated what we already know....not sleeping with”O her, dressing in her clothing, finding the earring... Oh, and one more important thing...she is afraid to be there near him...he won’t let her leave or move out. So I suggested a vacation to get out of there.” 

“Ger... what if the mayor is an outlaw himself?”

“I considered that...double crosser with Tye... loose end... But what if Leigh is imagining it?” 

“Keep talking...”

“Well...look at her behavior today...she thought there was a fire...then the Mayor in trouble...then...ummm...being friendly with me while breaking down....not the signs of someone in control of themselves.” 

“Doesn’t seem like it, no,” I raised an eyebrow. “She’s insistent that she’s telling the truth but the more I hear, the less I believe.”

“I will be hard to question the Mayor about her.” 

“We need to talk to him though.”

“Carefully..” he nodded. 

“It’s the only next thing to do.”

“And I think you should handle that one.” 

“Alone?” 

“Well, you left me alone with his Lady...besides, she wants to talk to me later.” 

“I suppose that every time I’ve tried to talk with him with someone else there, he talks in circles... Just feel like no matter who we talk to, we’re just gonna get more lies. And I ain’t even sure who the victim is anymore.”

“Too many stories that don’t match.” 

“Exactly,” I nodded. 

“So..which case should we concentrate on?” 

“It’s hard to say... I think that everything happening in Diamond is connected. I think we need to look at each of the events as a continuum on the timeline. The kidnapping, the bakery fire, then the cross-dressing of the mayor, and then the raccoons in the cafe. I think they’re all connected.”

“Well..if we cold turn Tye ...we might be able to connect the dots... Play his law side and his feelin’s for you.” 

“Feelings? He’s practically married to Peta,” I blinked at that. 

“He might still have them... he did train you after all.” 

“No... It was professional. It always was,” I shook my head. “But somethin’s different if he was happy to see me last night.”

“Maybe I can get Peta to talk too...” Ger said. 

“Your problem will be to get Peta to stop talking,” I almost muttered and he chuckled at that. “You think I’m kidding?”

He shook his head and said, “From what I learned from being with you... no. Just a thought...” 

“Hmm?” 

“I wonder...if we can prove the Mayor is involved with the bakery fire and cafe...if this cross dressing thing is a ruse to make people think he is crazy to get out of going to jail.” 

“It’s a good thought.” 

We moved up to the bed and cuddled with each other while we talked more and then there was a knock on the door. David came upstairs and held his gun on us. “I’m breaking in. This is a stick up.” 

“Uh huh...” I shook my head in disbelief but Ger looked shocked. 

“I’m unarmed,” he held up his hands.

“David...” I looked at him with confusion. 

“Now the prosecutor is crazy,” Ger muttered and I laughed at that. 

“Sorry I’ll leave just having a great day,” David said, holstering his gun and laughing. 

“It’s okay I was just showing my new work partner the place,” I said. 

“Nice office here,” Ger nodded. 

“Hey you made detective Gerric, nice!” 

“I needed the help with everyone in this town goin’ crazy,” I winked at David

“This morning, she took me on...for some strange reason,” Ger smiled. 

“Well, she knows talent,” David smiled. 

“He knows how to talk to people and ask the right questions. He’s able to do it when I can’t be in town,” I chuckled. “Now we just need a deputy and we’ll be all set.”

“I agree with that,” Ger said. 

“Yeah don’t say anything yet but I am considering pulling double duty.” 

“Oh are you?” I looked at him. 

“Yeah ain’t no one else stepping forward.” 

“Maybe someone form Tombstone...” Ger suggested. 

“And you’re around town enough to do the job well,” I nodded and chuckled at Ger. “Someone from Tombstone. You mean Kris? Or Kris?”

“He’s useless in Tombstone we are better off with no one,” David said. 

“Exactly my point,” I nodded. “David, we think you might be right on your assumption about the mayor being crazy.”

“Well your the first anyone else seems to think I’m to stuffy or crazy myself,” he nodded. 

“Somethin’ ain’t right when he’s dressin’ in women’s clothing,” I said. 

“Thats what I say, but then I talked to Jimmi and apparently Lot and a few others do it too,” he nodded. “Something about when they gots dirty clothes they wear woman’s just to avoid being naked.” 

“Glad they agree too. We need to keep a close eye on him,” I nodded. 

“No, they don’t agree. They seem to think it’s okay.” 

“Hang on, let me check on something,” Ger said and headed downstairs. 

“I do apologize for bursting in,” David said when we were alone. 

“Oh it’s alright. I’ve been meaning to talk to you as well.”

“Won’t happen again.” 

“Anything else that the mayor’s been doing that’s strange?” I asked as we went downstairs to sit at the table. 

“No, I haven’t seen him since the party.” 

“We haven’t talked at all with all this stuff going on, you know,” I said, pulling out my notebook. “What have you heard about the bakery fire?” 

“Just that it happened.” 

“How about something with the raccoons in the cafe? Or any bugs in the new bakery?”

He shook his head, “None of that stuff, gosh when all that happen? And where was I?”

“Been within the past few days I guess,” I chuckled. “You need to be around town more, darlin’. How about the mayor cross-dressing? I know you were around for that...”

“I’ve been a bit preoccupied with a friend or two,” he said. “Yes was around for that embarrassment.” 

“Can you tell me about that night?”

“Hmm pretty typical party. I danced with Paisley most the night until she left then danced with Katie,” his face grew brighter. “But when I arrived the Mayor was already on stage dancing with the dolls.” 

“What was he wearing?” 

“One of the Diamond doll outfits ,he seemed to be enjoying himself,” he leaned in to whisper, “And just between us he doesn’t have bad legs though they could stand a shave.” 

I chuckled and asked, “What was the event for? Just a weekly dance?”

“Nah Jewels birthday.” 

“Right, the birthday for the woman we suspected had kidnapped his fiancé,” I rolled my eyes. 

“I didn’t say it made sense, just that was what the party was for.” 

“So did the mayor seem drunk?”

“Not anymore then normal for him” 

“Was he chummy with any of the outlaws? Jewel or Mac, perhaps?”

“Well seeing has how the party was for Jewel, I’d call that pretty chummy.” 

“Just was wondering how they were acting, talking with each other...” I nodded. 

“Friendly, why you think it was more then a party?”

“I have no idea what to think.”

“Well he seemed happy to throw the party but I was focused else where.” 

“Of course,” I nodded. 

“I mean Myst wasn’t there and well the ladies wanted to dance who was I to say no? I would of course dance with Myst if she was there. And I didn’t touch... Well unless you count the touching needed to dance.” 

“Well David I should get some work done here. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

“Okay. See ya soon,” he said and I watched him leave the office, then remained looking at my notes in confusion.